Excerpted from 'Advent and Lent Activities for Children' with permission of Twenty-Third Publications.

Origin

The Jesse tree represents Jesus' family tree. The name is taken from Isaiah 11:1, in which Jesus is referred to as a shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, the father of David.

The ornaments on the Jesse tree tell of Jesus' ancestors, and of the events leading to Jesus' birth.

Symbols

Adam and Eve Apple (Genesis 2:4-3:24)

Noah Ark or rainbow (Genesis 6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17)

Abraham Knife (Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6)

Isaac Ram (Genesis 22:1-19)

Jacob Ladder (Genesis 27:41-28:22)

Joseph Colorful coat (Genesis 37, 39:1-50:21)

Moses Tablets of the law (Exodus 2:1-4:20)

David Harp (1 Samuel 16:17-23)

Isaiah Lion and lamb (Isaiah 1:10-20, 6:1-13, 8:11-9:7)

Mary Lily (Luke 1:26-38)

Elizabeth Small home (Luke 1:39-55)

Joseph Hammer or saw (Matthew 1:18-25)

Connection

Roots are important parts of a tree. As people, we need to know our roots, as well. Often, we run from one thing to another without reflecting on where we've been or where we are going. As we create a Jesse tree during this Advent season, let us pause and look at our lives to see on whose shoulders we stand.

Activity

Make a Jesse tree for your home. First, take a large, bare branch and secure it in a pot of sand or rocks. (You can also use a large potted plant or evergreen.) Create ornaments that trace Jesus' royal line by making symbols for some of the people found in the Hebrew testament. Make the ornaments out of cardboard or construction paper and decorate as you like.

Instead of hanging all the ornaments on the tree at one time, you may want to hang one on every other day of Advent. Read the Scripture citation given here as you hang each ornament on the tree.